This is the first picture of a 28-year-old woman killed in a horrific knife attack inside a busy travel agents in front of terrified shoppers.

The victim, named locally tonight as Cassie Hayes – who is reported to have had her ‘throat slit by an assailant’ – later died in hospital following the lunchtime attack at a branch of TUI in Southport, Merseyside.

Her employers later confirmed that the woman who was killed was a member of staff – and detectives have opened a murder probe after arresting a 30-year-old man at the scene.

Cassie’s heartbroken partner, Leah Mcdonald, said on Facebook late this afternoon: “My absolute world i love you so so much have done since we first met i promise i will look after our girl the best i can.”

Cassie Hayes died as a result of her injuries following the attack in Southport(Image: Facebook)

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Other tributes are tonight flooding social media.

Friend Helen Harper posted on Facebook that she was “shocked and heartbroken” – while another user, Tanya Gaffney, described Cassie as “such a lovely lady”.

And Rebecca Spencer posted: “So sorry to hear this news, such a lovely person and will be sadly missed xx.”

Police, who described Cassie’s death as a ‘domestic-related’ incident, said an unnamed 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Witnesses reported seeing a woman being brought out on a stretcher and put in an ambulance.

Cassie Hayes died following the attack inside a TUI travel agent in Southport(Image: Facebook)

Delivery driver Rich Lawson, 27, said: “She was covered up but I could see blood on her face. There was a lot of blood and she looked like she was unconscious. I overheard a lady wearing a TUI uniform on the phone. She was shaking and said her throat was slit.

“When I went back to my van and drove past the police riot van was up against the door. It looked like they were bringing a man out.”

Teams of police and two air ambulances descended on the scene immediately after the incident – and onlookers said they initially saw armed officers flood the busy town centre parade.

Holiday giant TUI has confirmed in a statement that a female staff member died as a result of the attack at its premises shortly before 1.30pm.

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Eyewitnesses say they saw a woman being carried out covered in blood(Image: Liverpool Echo)

A cordon was erected around the travel agent, while witnesses said two air ambulances landed at nearby Marine Lake.

Merseyside Police said a man had been detained at the scene and that the incident “remains ongoing”, the Liverpool Echo reports.

A 28-year-old woman died as a result of her injuries(Image: Liverpool Echo)

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

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A statement from Merseyside Police said: “Merseyside Police can confirm a murder investigation has been launched following an incident in Southport today, Saturday 13th January.

“Officers were contacted at 1.25pm following reports that a 28-year-old woman had been injured at the TUI travel agents on Chapel Street.